Professor Ahmed Zakaria Mohamed El-Shalaq (1367–1448 AH / 1948–2026 AD) is considered one of the most prominent Egyptian historians, researchers, and scholars of historical texts, specializing in modern and contemporary history. He was born on Friday March 5, 1948 in the village of Kafr al-Hima (near Tanta) in the Gharbia Governorate.
He pursued his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the Department of History at the Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University, earning the following degrees:
Bachelor of Arts (History) in 1972.
Master’s degree in Modern and Contemporary History (with distinction) in 1977.
He studied at the University of London from 1978 to 1979.
Ph.D. in Modern and Contemporary History (with first-class honors) in 1981.
He advanced through various academic positions at the Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University:
Teaching Assistant in the Department of History (1972).
Assistant Lecturer (1977).
Lecturer in Modern and Contemporary History (1981).
Associate Professor (1987).
Professor of Modern and Contemporary History (1993).
Notable Administrative and Academic Positions:
Head of the Department of History at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Qatar University (1997–1999).
Head of the Department of History at the Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University (2003–2004).
Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University. Head of the Department of Research and Studies in Modern and Contemporary History at the Institute of Arab Studies (2017–2018).
Head of the Documentation and History Units at the Middle East Research Center.
Al-Shalaq held several significant positions, most notably: Head of the Department of History at the College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University (1997–1999); Head of the Department of History at the Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University (2003–2004); Head of the Department of Research and Studies in Modern and Contemporary History at the Institute of Arab Studies (2017–2018); and Head of the Documentation and History Units at the Middle East Research Center. He also served as a member of the Scientific Committee at the Center for the History of Modern Egypt, a board member of the Egyptian Society for Historical Studies, and a member of the History Committee at the Supreme Council of Culture. Furthermore, he was a member of the Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo.
Cultural Activities:
He served as editor-in-chief for several historical and intellectual series, such as "Memory of Writing" (*Dhakirat al-Kitaba*) and "History of the Egyptians" (*Tarikh al-Masriyyin*), published by the General Egyptian Book Organization. He collaborated with the Library of Alexandria, participating in its historical conferences, and contributed to the writing of historical booklets aimed at youth and young adults.
Key Publications and Scholarly Works:
Al-Shalaq enriched the Arabic literary and academic landscape with numerous important historical works and research studies, including: *The Umma Party and Its Role in Egyptian Politics*; *The Egyptian Democratic Party (1918–1923): A Chapter in the History of Egyptian Political Parties*; and *Chapters from the Political History of Qatar*. Works include: "The Arabs and the Ottoman Empire: From Subjugation to Confrontation (1516–1916)"; "The Development of Modern Egypt: Chapters in Political and Social History"; "Ahmed Fathi Zaghloul and the 'Fathi' Works"; "Modernity and Imperialism: The French Invasion and the Problematic of Egypt’s Renaissance"; and "Sheikh Mustafa Abd al-Raziq and His Memoirs," among others. In addition to these, he contributed to dozens of other publications, collaborating with various authors on historical research and academic yearbooks.
Awards and Honors
Ain Shams University Award for Outstanding Research (1983–1984), shared with Dr. Raafat Abdel Hamid.
State Award for Excellence in Social Sciences (2006).
State Merit Award in Social Sciences (2010).
Ain Shams University Merit Award in Social Sciences (June 2011).
Cairo International Book Fair Award for Heritage Books (January 2014).
He passed away on the evening of Wednesday, 3 Jumada al-Ula 1448 AH—corresponding to October 14, 2026 AD—at the age of seventy-eight.
